The Michigan Senate has voted to decriminalize minor in possession charges
Game day tailgating may be a lot less of a risk for incoming freshmen
In a 36-2 vote on Thursday, the Michigan Senate approved legislation to decriminalize the minor to a civil infraction for a first offense.
Currently, a Minor In Possession charge, or MIP, is a misdemeanor punishable by a $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail.
While the new law would lessen the severity of a first offense, a second offense would still be classified as a misdemeanor punishable by a $200 fine and 30 days in jail.
A third offense would carry a sentence of up to 60 days, a $500 fine and possible driver’s license revocation.
In 2013, over 6,000 minors were charged with MIPs for buying or consuming alcohol, according to the Michigan State Police.
Ingham and Washtenaw Counties, home of Michigan State University and the University of Michigan, respectively, led the state in MIP charges with over 1,200 between the two.
The legislation will now move to the House of Representatives for consideration under bills SB 332-333.